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July Activities
TREES AND SHRUBS:
~SHRUBS
AND TREES that have problems often will begin to exhibit them as the heat
truly sets in this month. Watch for die back, which occurs due to lack of
water, too much water (lack of aeration), lack of nutrition, disease or any
number of other reasons. Try to find out exactly what is CAUSING the
problem before you try to fix it! Your local county extension service (http://county-tx.tamu.edu/
) will often be a great resource if you can take a sample to their office.
Or locate an arborist (www.treesaregood.com)
to come to your property. The initial consultation from a reputable
arborist is often a free service. If an expensive treatment is deemed
necessary, decide whether it will be worth it in the long run. Unless a
shade tree is crucial, it might be a better solution to remove it and plant
a new, healthy, native tree or two.
PERENNIALS:
~PERENNIALS
should be fed regularly (lightly every 4-6 weeks) to continue blooming
throughout the summer. But be careful not to overfeed. Nutritional problems
manifest in specific ways and that specific nutrient might be all that is
needed. Using lawn fertilizer high in nitrogen is a no-no in a perennial
bed because although the plant will be lush and green, it will concentrate
efforts on only that and thus go lacking in blooms. A balanced fertilizer
(all three numbers equal) or one whose second number (the phosphate ratio)
is higher is typically a better choice for perennials. And don’t forget to
deadhead (remove spent flowers) to allow plants to spend time on flowering
instead of seed production. Try an organic method, such as fish emulsion,
for beautiful blooms on a healthy plant.
ANNUALS/VEGETABLES:
~ANNUALS
can still be seeded for fall color. Some favorites are celosia, cosmos,
gaillardia, morning glory (in a WELL contained area….), sunflower, and
zinnia. And don’t forget to feed them as they begin to bloom. Annual
flowers typically are heavier feeders than are perennials, so you may use a
balanced formula on them once a month, or cut the concentration in half and
feed every other week.
GENERAL:
~GRASS
should be cut higher so that the roots are shaded. For St. Augustine, 2 ½”
is about right. Bermuda and Zoysia can be kept a little shorter. Once a
week (or twice if we get a lot of rain) should be enough to mowing if you
are watering properly. (A healthy lawn needs an inch of water per week.)
If mushrooms are a problem in the turf, it could be a sign of over-watering
--- whether from you or from above --- or of a low spot. A bit of sand added
to the low area might help. Also watch for chinch bug damage this month.
Often in the hottest part of the lawn, the grass wilts even though
well-watered and will quickly turn brown. A tiny black insect with white
wings, the chinch bug can be treated with an insecticide according to
package directions.
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